Exotic Rockeries

The exotic rockery contains plant species from mountain ranges in other continents and countries, such as North America, the Iberian Peninsula, Eurasia and New Zealand. Most of the plants in these places are very similar to ones found in the Aosta Valley in terms of genera, although the species, particularly those from the Eurasian continent, differ. For example, among the species from the Pyrenees is Eryngium burgatii, which is very similar to theEryngium alpinum, the Queen of the Alps. This is an extremely rare Alpine flower, a very young specimen of which is currently present in the garden, although it is not yet in its flowering stage. The Eurasian rockery contains some Himalayan Edelweiss which closely resembles Leontopodium alpinum, despite not being that closely related. Another very interesting species is Potentilla, the only red flower in the garden.

The beds contain numerous Alpine species that come from the Himalayas, arriving in our region as a result of the great glacial events that occurred during the Quaternary period. Following the retreat of the glaciers which occurred due to rising temperatures, these plants found the Alps to be an ideal habitat, with a climate similar to that of their place of origin. In the middle of this area there is a small rockery containing eastern cultivars, hybrids obtained by crossing different species. Here you can see a number of beautiful and brightly coloured plants which are difficult to find in nature: Gentiana grandiflora or Erigeron Schwartzes Meer, for example. All the exotic flower species introduced into the Alpine environment experience a delay in flowering, which is controlled by the hours of daylight they absorb and is due to the shift in latitude and altitude compared to their areas of origin. These plants tend to flower in late September for this reason.

Latest News

Saussurea Foundation

The Saussurea Foundation is a non-profit organization (NPO), with headquarters in Loc. Pavillon du Mont Fréty, Courmayeur. The foundation aims to promote, encourage and disseminate studies about nature, specifically in relation to the Aosta Valley region and the Mont Blanc area.